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Hyphy

Hyphy (pronounced HI-fee; IPA: ['ha?fi?]) is a style of music and dance primarily associated with the Bay Area hip hop culture. Although the hyphy movement has started in the early '90s, it began to emerge in the early 2000s as a response from Bay Area rappers against commercial hip hop for not acknowledging the Bay for setting trends in the hip hop industry. Although the "hyphy movement" has just recently seen light in mainstream America, it has been a long standing and evolving culture in the Bay Area. Bay Area rapper Keak Da Sneak takes credit for coining the term when, as a young boy, his mother would often tell him he was hyperactive. He would repeat the word "hyper" as "hyphy". Hyphy music is distinguished by gritty, pounding rhythms and in this sense can be associated with the Bay Area as crunk music is to the South; however, contrary to popular belief, the musical aspect of the Hyphy movement has very few similarities to crunk music as it is dictated by more up-tempo beats. An individual is said to "get hyphy" when they act or dance in an overstated and ridiculous manner. Those who consider themselves part of the Hyphy movement would describe this behavior as acting "stupid" or "going dumb." In contrast to much of popular American culture where these phrases would be considered negative or even insulting, Hyphy is distinguished by taking this kind of behavior as a form of pride.

Slang

Like many Bay Area trends, Hyphy has a unique culture of slang. Below is a partial list of notable slang terms in hyphy culture:[3][4] This is a core list of slang associated with hyphy culture, it is not meant to be exhaustive.
  • "Gas-brake dippin'" - Driving while quickly alternating between stomping on the gas and the brake. Also known as "Yokin'".
  • "Ghost Ridin' the Whip" - Driver walks alongside slow-rolling car with the door open, giving the appearance that the car is driving itself. Passengers ride with all the doors open and sometimes leap out of the moving cars, sometimes dancing on top of the hood.
  • "Going Dumb/18, Getting Stupid/ Silly/ Ignorant/ Retarded/ Hyphy & Ridin' the Yellow Bus" - Bay Area style of having fun, usually involving some type of Ecstasy or alcohol.
  • "Runner"/"Ripper" - A girl who is known to engage in pre-marital sex.
  • "Scrapers" - Vintage four-door American sedans with whistling pipes, oversized spinning rims and a powerful stereo system. They hang low in the back and send off sparks when one is "gas-brake dippin".
  • "Slapper/ Slumper" - A song with particularly loud bass and/or Hyphy connotations.
  • "Stunna Shades" - Oversized glasses that people wear when they get hyphy. They help accessorize the sagging jeans and white T-shirts that are part of hyphy fashion.
  • "Stunnas" - are frequently aviator style glasses, but often more elaborate or attention getting.
  • "Thizz" - Street slang for being up on Ecstasy, popularized by Mac Dre. Thizz is also the name of Mac Dre's record label.[5]
  • "Thizzle Dance" - A dance usually involving wierd movements similar to drunk person. As said in a MacDre song it does not look good if your drunk.
  • "Yadadamean?/Yadadamsayin?" - A phrase popularized by Keak Da Sneak meaning "Do you know what I mean?" and "Do you know what I am saying?" The 'dada' usually signifies rolling the letter 'R', however, for effect and for people who cannot roll their 'R's, the informal 'didi' (pronounced did-I) is appropriate.
  • "Yay Area" - Another nickname for the Bay Area of California.
  • "Yee" - Originating from the streets of Richmond, a noise made to express exuberance.